Applied Materials Dielectric Systems and Modules Win Supplier Excellence Award from Texas Instruments.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2003

Applied Materials' Producer(R) CVD Systems Cited For World Class

Technology and Performance

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) dielectric systems and modules received the prestigious Supplier Excellence Award from Texas Instruments (TI), an honor that is given annually to less than one percent of TI's suppliers. Applied Materials was the only capital equipment company to win the award this year. The award cited the exemplary performance and continuous improvement of Applied Materials' CVD (chemical vapor deposition) technology, including products for low k films.

Rob Simpson, Vice President, Worldwide Procurement and Logistics at Texas Instruments, said, "Applied Materials has demonstrated world-class technology capabilities in dielectric CVD as well as superior support for its systems in TI's production fabs and development centers. The Producer system, in particular, has a reputation throughout TI's fabs for high uptime and process performance. The system has the flexibility to deposit a broad range of silicon dioxide films as well as specialized optical and low k dielectric films. This award reflects Applied Materials' excellent dielectric CVD technology and its consistent dedication to TI's success."

The purpose of the Supplier Excellence Award is to recognize and honor companies that demonstrate outstanding contributions to TI in the combined areas of Cost; Environmental, Safety & Health; Technology; Responsiveness; Assurance of Supply and Quality. Recipients of TI's annual Supplier Excellence Award are an elite group of companies that rise to the challenge of maintaining a dedication to quality.

"TI is one of the semiconductor industry's most technically advanced and fast-paced companies. Receiving their Supplier Excellence Award is a real honor, demonstrating the extra effort our product group and account management team have devoted to meeting TI's requirements," said Dr. Farhad Moghadam, Vice President and General Manager of the Dielectric Systems and Modules product group. "We appreciate TI's commendation of the Producer system, which underscores the exceptional technology and cost-effectiveness that have made it the leading CVD system in the industry."

Unlike batch systems, the Producer platform features a modular design that can be configured with up to six process stations, enabling exceptional processing flexibility and high throughput. More than 500 Producer systems are installed at chipmakers around the world.

Applied Materials, the largest supplier of products and services to the global semiconductor industry, is one of the world's leading information infrastructure providers. Applied Materials enables Information for Everyone(TM) by helping semiconductor manufacturers produce more powerful, portable and affordable chips. Applied Materials' web site is www.appliedmaterials.com.